[color=darkgray]

Truth be told, Calliope hadn't expected this entire social interaction to work out for anyone. Not today, at least. Everyone's body language was going wild. It kind of gave Calliope a headache, but she pushed it down. She needed to work through it. Lorcán was first. 

[color=#fe650d]“Thanks for saying so, Cali, but the lady dude and I are just friends, ya feel? I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize that or upset Rora.”[/color]

Followed swiftly by Gil. Or rather, one of the Gil's as Calliope caught another Gil making his way over to Katja and Amma and another off o probably console Aurora and/or Mei. Considering how awkward things had just been made, it was probably a good idea. 

[color=#fe650d]“I’m not sure, dude. Situation is pretty gnarly, Rora didn’t exactly seem stoked to be asked by Rory. Whole sitch has kinda been an epic bomb. Total wipeout if you catch me.”[/color] [color=F796A9][I]"Because she likes you, you idiot..."[/i][/color] Calli thought to herself. It was glaringly obvious to anyone with a pulse, but for some reason the two of them had yet to bite the bullet and at least ask the other out for coffee or for a walk. Simple. Calli bit her tongue though. Lorcán wasn't in a state to receive advice or help.

SO Calli turned her sights on Rory.

As the Golden Retriever got to work making her a martini, she eyed him, hoping to transfer her thoughts to his. What the hell had he been thinking? 

[color=04cf3a]"I... I was just trying to give Lorcán a little push, and see if Ro was interested in going to the dance at all. Now Mei is making fun of me, Rora and bro seem upset... I really fucked this one, didn't I?"[/color] God it was like watching someone kick 20 puppies. Calliope accepted her drink with grace. [color=F796A9]"You really did."[/color] Harsh words, perhaps, but fair. Not only had Rory unintentionally hurt Lorcán, but Aurora and Mei as well. Calliope sighed, continuing so Rory wouldn't feel like she was putting him down. [color=F797A9]"Look, I can kind of see where you were coming from, but that was probably the worst way to go about it. I mean you put Aurora on the spot in front of the guy she obviously likes and then shot down Mei who, by the way, was not making fun of you, but rather trying to fix the awkward tension and you shot her down. No one is recovering nicely from this. So lick your wounds and, maybe, talk to Lorcán after and apologize."[/color]

Calliope gave Rory a quick hug before she returned to Banjo.


[CENTER][COLOR=F796A9][sup]________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sup][/COLOR][/CENTER][center][img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1224910842424725665/1226328034244690040/callibanner_copy.jpg?ex=66245dfb&is=6611e8fb&hm=42038bf9149c2fd18f9fe5a7beb03c512a29dddcff93fc7f7973016b25484d8f&=&format=webp&width=710&height=302[/img][/center][indent][sub][COLOR=F796A9][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [I]The Beach[/I] - [I]Pacific Royal Campus[/I][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=F796A9][b]Welcome Home #1.37:[/b][/COLOR] [I]These Perfect Moments[/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=F796A9][SUP][sub]____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR][indent][sub][color=F796A9][B]Interaction(s):[/B][/COLOR][I] Banjo ([@Hound55]), Lorcán ([@Lord Wraith]), Rory ([@webboysurf]), Aurora ([@Melissa]), Gil (@Roman)[/I][/sub][SUP][RIGHT][COLOR=F796A9][b]Previously:[/b][/COLOR] [COLOR=GRAY][I]Cooling Off[/I][/color][/right][/SUP][/indent]

Calliope settled into the moment as everyone else did their own thing. She sipped her martini (wasn't bad) as she enjoyed this moment. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and she took it out and read the message.

[indent][indent][indent][CENTER][PRE]Hi, its me.  If you could remind him that he 
helped me get this bloody boat in the water, and 
I'm gonna need him to get it back ashore 
again, that'd be greatly appreciated.[/PRE][/CENTER][/indent][/indent][/indent]

Calliope patted Banjo's thigh and showed him the message. [color=darkgoldenrod]"'Scuse I, ladies and gents.  Gotta go save a bloke from his mid-life crisis."[/color]

Calliope wanted to change before night happened and they finished the bonfire. What better way than to go with Banjo on her way to the dorm. [color=F796A9]"I might come with you.  I should change out of this if we're staying here through the evening anyway."[/color]

He offered his hand and she wrapped hers in his before they made their way to the other side of the beach. As they walked, Banjo had picked up the conversation. 

[color=darkgoldenrod]"Thanks for comin' out, Snow Bunny.  I know this ain't exactly your location or event of choice."[/color]

[color=F796A9]"It's all right.  Even a crummy beach is better when you're there."[/color]

Despite her hatred of the beach, she did enjoy herself. Even though tensions rose a bit, she was sure they would be quickly fixed.

[color=darkgoldenrod]"Everything really all good?  That wasn't for their sake, yeah?  I know they stuck you on the pointy end with 'Mock' lately.  How'd that go?"[/color]

God he would pick up on that. And she was supposed to be the expert on body language. She really didn't want to get into it. [color=F796A9]"It was hard and I hated every word I used in my argument, but I won."[/color] To his credit, Banjo knew there was more, but he squeezed her hand in response. She squeezed back. Thankful in the moment she didn't need to let it out. Having similar activities made things easier and harder. It was why she didn't end up doing Model U.N. She wanted to have one thing for herself. So she opted to play Tennis. She had played before in high school back in Arizona when her father all but forced her to participate in a school sport. She hated it because her autonomy was taken away. And now she was enjoying it, because she chose to do it. And it gave her something to do without Banjo.

And damn if she didn't hate thinking that. She loved Banjo. Deeply. Truly. But he was with her in debate and Mock Trial and they spent a lot of time outside of classes. Being in separate dorms was both easy and hard. But she also needed to be her own person. She didn't want to be "Banjo's girlfriend" she wanted to be "Calliope" who happened to be dating this amazing man.

She shook those thoughts from her mind as they got to their breaking off point. [color=darkgoldenrod]"Right-o, see you back here when we're both done, Hun?"[/color] 

[color=F796A9]"Of course.  See you in a bit, love."[/color] She let go and made her way to her dorm room. Upon entering it, she noted her roommate was not in. She quickly got changed. She opted for a hoodie as it was going to get chilly, even with a bonfire, but put on some shorts instead. She didn't want sand to end up in a good pair of jeans. She kept her sandals before she put her hat and sunglasses away, fixing her hair. Once she was satisfied with the person she saw in the mirror (getting easier every day) she made her way back.

[hr]

At the bonfire, her and Banjo made their way to an empty seat. Calliope sat next to Gil and Banjo had scooted himself in between them. Banjo also started to stare at Gil for an awkward length of time. Calliope tapped his shoulder and gave Banjo a "what are you doing?" look. 

Thankfully the conversations got started. [color=#fe650d]“Alright gentle-[i]dudes[/i] and lady-[i]brahs[/i], where does everyone see themselves once they graduate?”[/color]

Calliope gave this some thought as the others, one by one, began speaking up.

[color=#fe650d]“I think I just want to take things slow, on my own time after graduation, y’know? Been tossed around by wave after wave, it’d be nice to just float and see where the current takes me.”[/color]

[color=tan]"I'm hoping to volunteer for the U.S. Forest Service this summer, before I start my career. It depends on how friendly they are with hypes, but there has to be at least one Ranger out there that will accept me. If I go, feel free to visit me in the states, Lorcán. The American National Parks are gorgeous."[/color]

[COLOR=8ECDB7]“I’m still trying to figure out my plan for after graduation. My guess is I’ll-”[/color] Followed by a yawn. [COLOR=8ECDB7]“Sorry. I was going to say that I’m guessing I’ll live in the Alumni Village for a while, at least until I figure out my next move, I’m in no rush.”[/color]

[color=8A9A5B]"If I keep my grades up, I’m aiming for a spot in a diagnostic radiology residency program. It’s not as fancy as it sounds, though."[/color]

[color=04cf3a]"I... there's a lot of kids who are like us out there trying to make sense of everything. Powers, Hyperion, the backlash, watchlists.... this place isn't the solution for all of them. And even if it is, they need help and the tools to get through it. They need someone in their corner, cause not everyone has that."[/color]

Banjo spoke up next and Calliope would be lying if she didn't say she was more invested in this.

[color=darkgoldenrod]"I mean, I intend to move into criminal defense law when I'm done here.  Who's to say where? Good thing about that, can do criminal defense law anywhere and everywhere.  I figure head-shrinkin' is no different.  Can do that anywhere."[/color]

Calliope had to admit, she was happy to hear that Banjo wanted to continue with law, but she noted he didn't mention if she was in his future. It wasn't like she expected him to have every moment planned out, but no word on marriage? The two had talked about it before and it wasn't an easy conversation considering their families, or lack thereof. 

She supposed she would go next.

[color=F796A9]"Well, once I graduate, taking the bar exam is next. Once that is passed and done I want to pursue civil law. Specifically around Hyperhumans and their treatment. I want to make policy changes and be at the forefront of doing so, starting in the U.S. but I would love to be a part of a task force to help worldwide. I don't expect that to happen immediately, so I will probably start working somewhere and eventually grow to operate my own firm."[/color] It all sounded so....cold when she played it back. [color=F796A9]"I love being able to help others, so I feel you Rory. Being able to make a difference in someone's life when they are at their lowest, there's no feeling like it."[/color] Not that she would know, for the most part.

She looked at Banjo, wondering how he would take the next statement. [color=F796A9]"I would also like to have a family. One day, obviously. I would love to set up my career first before even thinking about bringing in another life. Especially as they might be Hyperhuman also. I would like to make the world a bit safer before they enter into it."[/color]

[/color]